Our little angels are the source of joy in the household, but when bed bugs attack, the pest won’t spare even the adorable toddler. It’s been many times that pediatricians are plagued with bed bug problems and the need to cure them. Although the pest doesn’t spread any disease, the unbearable itchiness would be very detrimental to the young one’s health. This is the reason why bed bug bite treatment for toddlers is necessary at home and in medical facilities.
Treating bites on kids is a bit different than doing it on adults. There’s nothing to be alarmed about it but what you would want to avoid is the incessant scratching that may lead to wounds and infections. Sure thing, you can use over the counter topical treatments but this would only work in some cases.
One thing that you should remember is that kids can’t stop scratching an itchy skin. This is true especially at night when the toddler is sleeping and the bites are starting to get even more intense. The number one cure here is to exterminate the pesky pest that keeps on sucking blood from your youngster. And then, the bites shouldn’t be taken for granted.
Use creams
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Over the counter creams are the most common remedy for bites for both adult and young hosts. The number one choice is calamine lotion that helps reduce the itchy feeling and the tendency to scratch the infected area. Remember that this lotion doesn’t necessarily treat the bites, it only removes the itchiness until the rashes subside for one to two weeks.
If you’re thinking of getting an OTC option, the Caladryl lotion is one of the top choices as it’s safe for toddlers of at least two years old. You can apply this to the bites up to four times a day, but if your kiddo has allergies, you might want to consult a doctor first about this bed bug bite treatment for toddlers.
Low-strength ointment
A mild ointment is best for kids who are always suffering from insect bites. It should be low in strength to avoid damaging the skin or worsening the itching of the bites. A toddler’s skin is very sensitive that using adult ointments might be harmful instead of helpful.
You might want to consider the After Bite For Kids tube that’s specifically made for the small ones who are dealing with the pesky pest. It’s made from natural itch relievers like aloe vera, essential oils, and baking soda. Make sure that you get the version fit for bed bug bites.
Oral corticosteroids
If the itch and scratching are too unbearable for the little one, you might want to consult your doctor for oral corticosteroids. Some steroids of this kind are prednisone and have to be prescribed by a physician before taking. These are strong drugs and it may induce side effects if not ingested as recommended and without the supervision of an expert.
Most of the time, you can ease bed bug bites using topical treatments. Anyway, some people would react differently to the bites that may even result in a serious case of anaphylaxis. It’s advisable to know the bed bug bite treatment for toddlers that works for your kid.
Antihistamines
If you’re worried about the strong corticosteroids, you can ask for antihistamines that your child can take. The most common OTC option is Benadryl and you don’t need to get a prescription. Let the toddler ingest this if the bites are still itchy after trying topical treatments. Strictly follow the dosage for kids as these antihistamines could still be dangerous as much as it’s relatively safe for everyone.
Usually, doctors pair antihistamines with corticosteroids during an intense case of biting. But only a physician should administer this to avoid any health issues. After giving the antihistamine to your child, cut his nails short to reduce the wounding effect when scratching.
Heat
If you’re too worried about putting ointments on your child’s skin or administering any oral medication, you can use heat as a first remedy. The heat helps increase the blood flow on the bitten area to soothe the itch. You can use a warm towel or a hair dryer in a mild setting to appease the irritation of the kid. So far, this is the safest bed bug bite treatment for toddlers.
You can also try the Bite Helper device that you can buy online. This uses a ThermoPlus Technology that sends minute vibrations to the skin and reduces the itching. Keep in mind that this doesn’t work all the time but it won’t cost you anything if you keep this handy in your house.
Baking soda paste
Many commercial creams that claim to ease the bites of kids’ skin actually have baking soda as an ingredient. If you can’t have access to any of the commercial options, you can ease the irritation of your child by using baking soda and water to create a paste. Apply a small amount on the bites to reduce the itching and swelling. This might sting a bit but it will help as the first resort before looking for a commercial option.
Remember that baking soda is a strong agent and if your kid’s skin is sensitive, you might want to skip this one.
Medical intervention
When everything of these treatments failed to address the bites and itching, you should go to a dermatologist or a physician to check for possible underlying allergies. Bed bugs can trigger allergies on which people aren’t aware that they have. And since children are sensitive to these, it’s best to let the experts handle the treatment.
For sure, they will recommend drugs and creams that suits your kid’s skin.
Choosing a bed bug bite treatment for toddlers is a crucial task for every parent. All we want is to ease the irritation of our little ones and if you know some of these hacks, you can cut yourself some slack from the pesky bed bug infestation happening in your house. Again, nothing beats extermination to prevent the critters from crawling into your little one’s skin. Don’t let the bugs bite!
